Job summary
Are you an experienced safeguarding leader looking to make a real impact across adult and children's services? Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust is seeking a dynamic, highly skilledHead of Safeguarding to provide visible leadership, expert guidance, assurance across acute and community settings.
In this pivotal role, you will:
Lead safeguarding strategy; safe delivery across the Trust, effective and person-centred services;
In partnership with local and regional agencies to protect people across Buckinghamshire;
Provide leadership on the implementation ofthe Mental Capacity Act, Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards, and pathways for patients with mental health needs;
Oversee safeguarding governance, compliance, education, and continuous improvement; Work with colleagues in midwifery to provide safeguarding;
Represent the Trust in multi-agency forums, driving collaboration and innovation in safeguarding practice;
Provide expert advice, supervision; support to colleagues across all professional groups;
Looking for an inspirational safeguarding professional with:
Significant leadership experience in adult and children's safeguarding across health or social care.
In-depth knowledge of safeguarding legislation, policy, and best practice.
The ability to work collaboratively with system partners and provide assurance at Board level.
A passion for embedding a 'Think Family' and 'Making Safeguarding Personal' approach.
Main duties of the job
As Head of Safeguarding, you will provide visible leadership and expert guidance across adult and children's services in both acute and community settings, including matrix working with midwifery services. Ensuring the Trust meets its statutory safeguarding responsibilities, working in partnership with local and regional agencies to protect people across Buckinghamshire. Includes leading the implementation of the Mental Capacity Act, Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards, and developing pathways for patients with mental health needs affecting self-protection. You will drive education, governance, and continuous improvement, providing assurance to senior leaders and external partners that safeguarding arrangements are safe, effective, and person-centred.
About us
Listen to why colleagues think we are a great place to work! -https://bit.ly/3DNEQfD
What does Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust offer you?
- As part of our BHT family, you'll benefit from learning and development opportunities to support your career progression.
- We offer flexible and agile workingopportunities,alongside your NHS benefits ofgenerous annual leave entitlement, pension andaccess toNHS discount schemes.
- We provide a range of health and wellbeing services to promote a healthy, happy workforce.
Why work for us?
- We'recommitted to promoting inclusion and making sure all colleagues feel they belong. We encourage new colleagues from a diverse range of backgrounds to apply.
- As an employer, we aim to create a workplace where differences are valued, and colleagues treat one another with dignity and respect.
- Greater diversity withinourBHT familyimprovespositive outcomes for the people and communities we serve.
What do we stand for?
- Our vision is to provide outstanding care, support healthy communities and be a great place to work.
- Our mission is to provide personal and compassionate care every time.
- Our CARE values are collaborate, aspire, respect and enable.
Job description
Job responsibilities
For a comprehensive list of responsibilities and duties, please kindly refer to the Job Description and Person Specification by downloading the JD and PS attachment in the advert.
If you are an internal applicant there is the option for secondment, all applicants must have the endorsement/support of their line manager prior to application.
If you have a disability that makes submitting this online application difficult and would like assistance, please contact us on bht.recruitment@nhs.net quoting the vacancy reference number.
Job description
Job responsibilities
For a comprehensive list of responsibilities and duties, please kindly refer to the Job Description and Person Specification by downloading the JD and PS attachment in the advert.
If you are an internal applicant there is the option for secondment, all applicants must have the endorsement/support of their line manager prior to application.
If you have a disability that makes submitting this online application difficult and would like assistance, please contact us on bht.recruitment@nhs.net quoting the vacancy reference number.
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- Extensive experience in safeguarding within healthcare or social care setting
- Experience of leading across disciplines within healthcare and partner organisations
- Evidence of successful working and influence across organisational boundaries
- Experience in a leadership role, managing teams and safeguarding functions
- Experience of working across both adult and children's safeguarding
- Experience in policy development, implementation and monitoring
- Experience of inter-agency working and representing an organisation at external safeguarding forums
- Experience in delivering safeguarding training and education
- Involvement in safeguarding audits, governance and compliance processes
- Experience in leading complex safeguarding investigations
Education, Qualifications & Training
Essential
- Registered Nurse (RN) or equivalent Registered professional qualification (e.g. Social Work, Allied Health Professional)
- Educated to either master's level or Doctorate or equivalent post graduate research / education in safeguarding
- Evidence of continued professional development in safeguarding, leadership and management
- Recognised qualification in safeguarding (Level 4 or above) or equivalent
- Leadership and management training or equivalent experience
- Education in Mental Capacity Act and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards
Skills, Abilities & Knowledge
Essential
- Highly motivated and able to work autonomously
- Ability to influence across organisational boundaries leading strategically to safeguard the population
- Committed to upholding safeguarding values and promoting a culture of continuous improvement
- Empathetic and compassionate approach to safeguarding vulnerable individuals
- Resilient, able to work under pressure, and manage competing priorities
- Demonstrates a commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
Special Circumstances
Essential
- Ability to travel across multiple sites within the Trust
- Commitment to ongoing professional development
- Willingness to undertake further safeguarding training and qualifications as a part of ongoing development
- Flexibility in working hours, including attending meetings and training as needed
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- Extensive experience in safeguarding within healthcare or social care setting
- Experience of leading across disciplines within healthcare and partner organisations
- Evidence of successful working and influence across organisational boundaries
- Experience in a leadership role, managing teams and safeguarding functions
- Experience of working across both adult and children's safeguarding
- Experience in policy development, implementation and monitoring
- Experience of inter-agency working and representing an organisation at external safeguarding forums
- Experience in delivering safeguarding training and education
- Involvement in safeguarding audits, governance and compliance processes
- Experience in leading complex safeguarding investigations
Education, Qualifications & Training
Essential
- Registered Nurse (RN) or equivalent Registered professional qualification (e.g. Social Work, Allied Health Professional)
- Educated to either master's level or Doctorate or equivalent post graduate research / education in safeguarding
- Evidence of continued professional development in safeguarding, leadership and management
- Recognised qualification in safeguarding (Level 4 or above) or equivalent
- Leadership and management training or equivalent experience
- Education in Mental Capacity Act and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards
Skills, Abilities & Knowledge
Essential
- Highly motivated and able to work autonomously
- Ability to influence across organisational boundaries leading strategically to safeguard the population
- Committed to upholding safeguarding values and promoting a culture of continuous improvement
- Empathetic and compassionate approach to safeguarding vulnerable individuals
- Resilient, able to work under pressure, and manage competing priorities
- Demonstrates a commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
Special Circumstances
Essential
- Ability to travel across multiple sites within the Trust
- Commitment to ongoing professional development
- Willingness to undertake further safeguarding training and qualifications as a part of ongoing development
- Flexibility in working hours, including attending meetings and training as needed
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Additional information
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
